Daily Business Report: Thursday, Nov. 17, 2022
Opening Today:
New SDSU Center for Tobacco and the Environment
By Sarah White
Every year, the tobacco industry costs the world more than 600 million trees, 22 billion tons of water and produces 84 million tons of carbon dioxide. Tobacco smoke leaves cancer-causing residue in cars, homes, and clothing and tobacco waste degrades soil and contaminates water. San Diego State University’s new Center for Tobacco and the Environment (CTE) — which opens today — aims to prevent, reduce, and eliminate these and other detrimental effects of tobacco.
The Center is unique as it stretches across different disciplines. Together, SDSU researchers from biology, chemistry, communication, economics, geography, policy research, psychology, and public health combat tobacco’s negative effects on indoor and outdoor environments.
Planned research in the center will study the non-biodegradable waste from tobacco products that accumulate on streets, flows into storm drains, and ends up on beaches. Additional studies will focus on indoor spaces, where the toxic chemical residue known as thirdhand smoke can linger for years.
Top Photo Credit: Canstock Photo
Navy puts 70-acre NAVWAR property on the market
By Jennifer Van Grove
The Navy is officially seeking bids to remake its 70.3-acre NAVWAR campus in San Diego’s Midway District, marking the start of the largest real estate competition in the federal agency’s history. Tuesday, the Navy issued what’s known as a request for qualifications for the lease and development of its Naval Base Point Loma, Old Town Complex, commonly known as NAVWAR. The 182-page solicitation, published on the procurement site SAM.gov, formally puts the property on the market and invites development teams to respond with their high-level visions for the site and financing plans by Feb. 7.
Latest Qualcomm flagship mobile platform uses AI
to power camera, connectivity, gaming, security and sound
By Sean Kinney
MAUI—At its annual Snapdragon Summit, Qualcomm on Tuesday unveiled its latest flagship SoC, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 which leverages AI to enhance key smartphone experiences, including camera, connectivity, gaming, security and sound. To the connectivity piece, branded as Snapdragon Connect, Qualcomm noted a world’s first 5G AI mobile platform processor, as well as the only commercial Wi-Fi 7 solution that uses High Band Simultaneous Multi-Link.
John Hinkin named executive director
of San Diego Parks Foundation
Jon Hinkin, a former member of the USA rugby team, has been named the San Diego Parks Foundation’s new executive director. Hinkin brings decades of international sports expertise and business acumen as he takes the helm of the nonprofit organization, which is dedicated to supporting the city’s mission to build an inclusive park system that strengthens communities and provides equitable access to recreational opportunities.
Hinkin was a member of the USA rugby team for nearly a decade in the ’90’s, serving as the team’s captain in 1997-1998.
He played in the inaugural Rugby World Cup Sevens in 1993 and was a reserve on the 1997 World Cup Sevens team.
From 2006-2019, Hinkin also served as vice president of competitions and tournament director for United World Sports and has nearly a decade of experience in building and managing sales and marketing, product support, customer support teams and processes for a variety of companies.
13 Scripps Research scientists named to
Clarivate’s Highly Cited Research list
Thirteen Scripps Research scientists were named this year to Clarivate’s Highly Cited Researchers list, which features researchers in fields spanning biology and biochemistry, chemistry, immunology, microbiology, pharmacology and toxicology. Launched in 2014, the ranking identifies the top global research scientists who have demonstrated exceptional influence in their respective fields. Of the 13 Scripps Research scientists who received awards, two are featured multiple times. Dennis Burton is awarded in the microbiology and immunology fields, and Ian Wilson is named in biology and biochemistry, as well as in microbiology.
Many of this year’s award recipients are featured under the “Cross-Field” category, highlighting their groundbreaking research that bridges multiple disciplines and departments. This includes Jeong Hyun Lee, Wei Liu, Ardem Patapoutian, William Schief, Eric Topol and John Yates. Additional Scripps Research scientists named to the list include Jin-Quan Yu and Phil Baran for their foundational work in chemistry, Jean-Philippe Julien for his microbiology contributions, as well as Vadim Cherezov and Vsevolod Katritch for their pharmacology and toxicology research.
American Cancer Society to help Sanford Burnham
Prebys push the envelope in cancer research
Two faculty members from Sanford Burnham Prebys have been awarded grants from the American Cancer Society (ACS), the largest not-for-profit funding body for scientists studying cancer. Associate Professor Cosimo Commisso, and Assistant Professor Svasti Haricharan each received competitive awards to advance their work on difficult-to-treat cancers.
Commisso was awarded a two-year grant to explore the potential of treating pancreatic cancer by blocking the metabolism of glutamine, a nutrient that pancreatic tumors need to grow. Haricharan was awarded a four-year grant to advance her work on one of the most common types of breast cancer.
R A Burch Construction Co. awarded $18.9 million
contract for Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton work
R A Burch Construction Co. Inc. in Ramona has been awarded an $18.9 million contract for the repair of Bachelor Enlisted Quarters 210705 at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton. The contract provides for essential repairs and renovation of all rooms. Work is expected to be completed by November 2024. This contract was not competitively procured via the System for Award Management website, in accordance with Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation 16.505. The Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command Southwest, San Diego, California, is the contracting agency.
Blue Sky Network to launch
SkyLink Citadel anti-piracy solution
San Diego-based Blue Sky Network announced that its SkyLink Citadel, a premium anti-piracy communications solution for sea farers, will launch and be available for purchase in Q1 2023. Unlike similar solutions, Citadel provides High-Definition (HD) crystal clear audio and access to mid-band data for onboard computers. The solution includes a dedicated SOS switch, battery backup power, and standard GPS tracking of the vessel.
The Ken Blanchard Companies
releases Courageous Inclusion
The Ken Blanchard Companies, a global leader in management training, consulting, and coaching, announced the release of Courageous Inclusion, a program to cultivate a mindset that promotes diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and teaches participants a process to become more knowledgeable and active proponents of inclusion in the workplace. Courageous Inclusion is available as a hybrid virtual design with self-study and instructor-led sessions and as an online overview.
Skrewball Whiskey launches Skrewball Eggnog
Skrewball Whiskey, the original peanut butter whiskey, announced the introduction of a festive, boozy peanut butter-flavored Skrewball Eggnog – just in time for holiday celebrations of all kinds. Launched hot on the heels of its portable 100ml can debut, Skrewball Whiskey’s new, limited-edition Skrewball Eggnog is a creamy, craveable combination of the smooth and nutty peanut butter whiskey and eggnog made with 100 percent real, premium dairy cream.
Brookfield Financial Partners sells a
Class A office portfolio in Carlsbad
Brookwood Financial Partners LLC a private equity firm, has sold a six-building, Class A office portfolio in Carlsbad. The portfolio includes Carlsbad Executive Plaza, a four-building office park containing approximately 133,000 square feet, and The Plaza I & II, consisting of two Class A office buildings totaling nearly 89,000 square feet. Brookwood originally acquired the properties in June of 2015 and sold the properties to MCS Guardian Properties LLC, an affiliate of M.C. Strauss.
ClickUp and HubSpot partner to increase productivity
San Diego-based ClickUp, the productivity platform that brings work together in one place, and Massachusetts-based HubSpot, acustomer relationship management platform for scaling companies, announced the launch of a highly-requested partnership to help customers create more efficient workflows and better collaborate across teams. By bringing together the powerful capabilities of ClickUp and HubSpot, stakeholders throughout the customer lifecycle benefit from increased productivity and are better equipped with the knowledge they need to foster and grow customer relationships.
TW2 agency wins six Excellence in Journalism awards
TW2 was awarded six Excellence in Journalism awards in the San Diego Press Clubs’s 2022 journalism awards. The PR and marketing agency took second place honors for: General Writing for External Publications, General Writing for Internal Publications, Press Release Writing, Video for FS Design Group, Video for Wilson Turner Kosmo, and Annual Report for Endeavor Bank. The agency is headed by founder and strategic adviser Teresa Y. Warren.
